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Fair Trade Companies Improve The Lives Of Farmers, Artisans and Merchants
Fair Trade groups work together for the benefit of workers and developing markets. How can we support the movement that enables small businesses to be competitive?
When the World Fair Trade Organization was founded in the late 1980s, the conditions faced by those who were unfortunate enough to work under exploitative conditions for companies were deplorable. Slave labor, brutal discrimination based on any number of factors, harsh working conditions and the like have been common when the bottom line and maximum profit is the only consideration for producing products.
Since the inception of the World Fair Trade Organization and other agencies, dozens of countries and hundreds of corporations have worked together to ensure that standards are being implemented regarding working conditions, wages, child labor and the environment.
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Fair Trade Companies – What Do They Do and Why Should You Trust Them
Have you ever wondered what fair trade companies actually do? And just because they say that they are ethical and you should buy their products, how can you know they can truly be trusted?
If you’ve ever found yourself asking these questions, then check out these simple tips and guidelines to help you navigate the world of ethical trading and ensure that your shopping experience is a positive one.
Firstly, what does ‘fairly traded’ actually mean?
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Fair Trade Coffee
Coffee used to be well, just plain coffee. You could order it with cream and/or sugar and that was pretty much the extent of the considerations. Now, the variation of terms bandied about is endless: organic coffee, gourmet coffee roasters who use only gourmet coffee beans, dark roast coffee, French roast and Arabica beans. There is also the place of origin: Ethiopia, Kona, Mocha, Sumatra and Uganda. Given the current rate of global warming, Tundra can’t be far behind.
Then, there is Fair Trade coffee. Fair Trade certification originated in the Netherlands in 1988 after a significant drop in wholesale coffee prices around the world. During that period, there was an excess supply of coffee beans over demand. The price on world markets had plummeted so low that coffee farmers around the world were unable to earn anything close to a livable wage. By 1997, several other labeling certifications had evolved: Fair Trade Foundation, TransFair USA and Rattvisemarkt. They merged to become The Fair Trade Labeling Organization or FLO, which has been extended to include many types of agricultural products.
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